So you spent the weekend running around from wedding vendor to wedding vendor (perhaps you even worked in a visit to a certain Palm Springs florist?)
You got sooooo much done, you deserve a break, right? Well, you could but you’d lose a valuable commodity: your weekend momentum. You’re full of information! You know who to call next! Don’t take a nap and lose your place in the exciting story that is your big day. Just a quick tip.

Ah the Olympics. Young smiling athletes performing at their best representing us all. In a way, we see the best in our country as we watch the competitions in London.

But what else do we see? We see hear a lot from commentators about “the Olympic Ideals” which seem like things we all ought to live up to. Respect, friendship, education, world peace…etc. As a wedding professional, and drawing from my experience at a top Palm Springs florist, I see lessons brides can take from these young athletes and apply to their planning. Here are three:

Have a Positive Attitude. From the moment they stepped out onto the track for opening ceremonies, the athletes were thrilled. They were full of energy,confidence, and smiles! Thinking positive changes your outlook, and makes you a happier bride. Through it all this is a celebration you’re planning! What fun, right?

LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 27: Fireworks explode over the Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)

Listen to your coach. The athletes (well, the smart ones, anyway,) know when it’s time to let someone else make a decision. They have faith that they’re working with someone they trust to do what’s best for everyone involved. This can be a hard one for brides, who frequently feel they need to direct every detail of their wedding. Sometimes though, your vendor, or bridesmaid, or even (gasp) your mother knows better, so it’s important to listen, and learn to let go.

Live In The Moment. Listening to the athletes’ interviews, each one repeated that their overall Olympic experience was the most important thing to them. You could tell they were soaking in their time as Olympians, and relishing their time in London. Brides should keep that in mind. Wedding planning can be a drag, for sure, but this is a time of your life that you’ll never get back. Enjoy every minute.

Our Olympic athletes are kicking serious butt in London. And it’s a delight to see the country rally around a group of bright, talented young people. Be patient as you, or the bride in your life, move through the wedding planning process. In the end, everyone will rally to see you win something better than a gold medal: a happy married life.

Often brides have a tough time figuring out what they want to look like on the big day. Sweet, or seductive? Classic, or modern? Here’s the key. You want to look like yourself! Your groom fell in love and proposed to you because of who you are – don’t present some exotic version of yourself on the day of the wedding because of some fashion trend or pressure to create dramatic photographs.

Here are three important questions to ask yourself about your look on the big day including your bridal hairstyle, wedding dress, and make-up.

Are you comfortable? Looking like you walked off a Paris runway isn’t worth having your dress duct taped to you and your hair pulled so tight it gives you a migraine. Most of us don’t live in cultures where it’s a badge of honor to get bruises from your elaborate wedding dress, so find something that fits well, and feels good!

Will your fiancé recognize you? Do you look like a glammed up version of yourself, or like someone you’ve never met? Your man wants to see someone familiar underneath all the trappings of bride-dom. Keep in mind you’re dressing up for him after all!

Don’t go for broke. Debt is not cute. If you can’t afford a hair and make-up team, or a $5,000 dress, don’t charge up a storm on credit cards. If your look is important to you, compromise on other budget items to make sure you have the resources you need, or investigate ways around the expenses like bartering for services, or renting a designer gown.

If you stay true to yourself, keep your wits about you, and follow your heart, you’re sure to be a beautiful, comfortable, solvent bride!